One of the strongest features I recognized about the book was the historical background, which Hassell clearly showed with enough research. The styles of dressing, social customs, and recipes depict the period of medieval history. The author went ahead to infuse fictional characters, blending them with the real historical figures, one of which was Adela of Blois, who was known to have existed in real life. She was also known for her adept intelligence and for being a well-educated woman. Another character, Stephen-Henry of Blois, Adela's husband, also existed. He was known for joining the First Crusade and for being pressured by Adela to go back to the Crusaders to redeem his honor after abandoning them. The Norman Conquest portrayed cultural conflict, land seizures from Saxons, and forced assimilation that were said to have taken place in real life. Although the book and Cerdic were fictional, the world he lived in and the other characters he served were historically correct.

The descriptions were not modernized but written in a classical and ancient way, as mentioned above.  This was made possible because the author paid close attention to her research pertaining to the medieval era. While describing, she used classical and historical tones, such as the time spent on the scenes of domestic life and the courtly dramas that took place. Words like “lordship,” “hearth,” “steward,” and so on echoed the social structure and courtly atmosphere of this period.

The pacing of the novel was uneven depending on the section of the book. The beginning focused on Cerdic’s trauma after witnessing the conquest, which did not go in favor of the Saxons, and then it went further into his new life as a worker in the Norman household. When it got to the middle, the pacing became more detailed and slow-burn, and it was directed towards the court’s life as Cerdic began serving Adela. The last section became tighter with shorter scenes and more tension as the story reached events like the political parts. 

Cerdic as a protagonist is described as a soft-spoken, quiet, and loyal man. Even though he was not a Norman, his devotion to Adela was one of his defining features. He was a trustworthy man who followed the duty assigned to him even when it clashed with his desire or trauma. Adela of Blois, another character, is a skillfully intelligent lady who stood as the Countess of Blois. While her husband was away, she took charge in dishing out orders and making tough decisions for the betterment of the land. She was a character who embodied moral and political attributes as she demonstrated the weight of leadership and showed that a woman is also capable of exercising power even in a male-ruling world. Other characters were Stephen-Henry of Blois, who demonstrated bravery and ambition as a crusader lord, and Giselle, who was pictured as a co-narrator and a member of Adela's household. These characters humanize history and reflect back to the medieval era, thereby blending both fiction and history together. 

I recommend this novel to people who love to read books pertaining to medieval history and anyone who is interested in the history of the Norman Conquest. Fans of books with women in authority like Adela in the book and readers of classical pacing narratives will also find this appealing. Moreover, since the book incorporates themes such as loyalty and survival, it will make readers explore the morality and philosophy behind these themes.